What does it mean when contempt of court is referred to as a 'strict liability' offence?

When contempt of court is described as a 'strict liability' offence, it signifies that an individual or entity can be held responsible for the offence regardless of their intention or state of mind at the time the act occurred. In other words, the prosecution does not have to demonstrate any intent to cause the contempt or to create a risk of it. This is significant for the media because it means that even if a publication or broadcast was made without any malicious intent or knowledge that it could provoke contempt, the individual or organization can still face legal consequences merely due to the nature of their actions potentially interfering with the administration of justice. This principle exists to maintain the integrity of court proceedings and ensure that the judicial process remains unimpeded by outside influences.